HI SB841

Appropriates $250,000 from general revenues to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for fiscal year 2017-2018 to conduct a feasibility study for a swim area in Pohoiki on the island of Hawaii.

Requires the department to develop plans in cooperation with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, County of Hawaii, and stakeholders to establish a safe swimming area.

Addresses the need for ocean access in Puna, which lacks safe beach areas due to lava inundation of Kalapana and currently has only the Pohoiki boat ramp as access to the ocean.

Seeks to resolve conflicts between swimmers and boaters at the boat ramp, where the department has begun fining swimmers for accessing the ocean, cutting off residents' only water access in the area.

Takes effect on July 1, 2017.